Dad's dream garage

... full of all the tools he'd ever want to fix, service or restore the automotive love of his life.

Repco trade sales manager Malcolm Dunning accepted our challenge to put together the ultimate in tools for our Dad's Dream Garage project. Prices range from an affordable $14.99 cleaning gift pack to $1299 for a portable fridge with a total price of $5680.97 for the most worthy of dads. It all starts with a big tool kit on rollers, of course, filled with spanners, sockets, screwdrivers and more.

Getting your fingernails dirty is fun, but scarred knuckles from the wrong tools is not, says Dunning. He says quality is the most important ingredient to avoid injury from inferior tools.

"The best is dropped-forge chrome vanadium and make sure they meet or exceed the industry standards for hardness and durability," he says. "That way they'll last forever."

Dunning chose their 126-piece Repco tool kit with six-drawer chest and seven-drawer trolley which includes imperial sizes for working on old cars and metric for new machinery. Any home mechanic needs a creeper so they can crawl under the car with ease and not hurt their back. They cost as little as $44.95 for the Mechpro which also folds up into a seat.

Getting under your car can be cramped, so Dunning suggests getting a floor jack and a couple of stands, but make sure they are rated to hold the weight of your car. You'll also need some good lighting under the car and in the engine bay. LEDs are the brightest and whitest lights to get.

Dunning says modern home mechanics are becoming more high-tech with their tools. He says air compressor are becoming popular to operate the many time-saving air tools available these days such as degreasing guns, impact wrenches, tyre pumps, and spray painters. Dunning suggests getting one with belt drive which is quieter around the home. Another popular tool for today's car restorers is a MIG welder, he says.

"They are popular for people doing panel work on their car or for things around the home like welding a gate," he says. "The old arc welders you couldn't work on fine sheets of metal like these can. You should look for good ampage. The more amps, the more power and the thicker metal you can weld."

Dunning says a 900amp jump pack is also handy to restart old batteries. After all that panel beating, welding and greasing, your Dream Garage is bound to get dirty.

Dunning suggests a wet/dry vacuum cleaner and a high-pressure water hose. He says they don't need to be expensive, but the most important thing to look for is high pressure. The Mechpro high-pressure cleaner is rated at 1600psi. You'll also want to clean and polish your car with a range of liquids and lotions. The job is made easier with a battery powered polish and buffing kit.

And when all the work is done, it's time for a coldie.

"I keep an Engel 240/12 volt fridge in the garage," says Dunning. "It means you don't have to go into the house in your dirty overalls and leave greasy fingerprints on the fridge door."

The Engel can also pack up and go with you on your next 4WD adventure, camping holiday or fishing trip.

DAD'S DREAM GARAGE

Repco 126 Pce AF/Metric 1/2" and 1/4" Drive Apprentice Tool Kit in 6 Draw Tool Chest $950
Repco 7 Draw Tool Trolley $699
Mechpro 40 Ltr Twin Piston Belt Drive Air Compressor $299
Mechpro 3/8" Air Ratchet and 1/2" Dr Impact gun Combo Kit $79
Wall Mount Compressed Air Hose Reel $79
Pro Lift 1400kg Floor Jack and Car Stand Combo Pack $59
Repco 7 Stage 8 amp Battery Charger $99
Repco 126 Pce Apprentice Tool Kit $950
Mechpro 900 AMP Battery jump pack $69.99
Mechpro 3 Door Wall Cabinet $99
Mechpro 150AMP Mig Welder $349
Mechpro Variable Shade Welding Helmet $89
Mechpro 36" Floor Creeper / Seat $44.99
Repco Hi Intensity Rechargeable LED Inspection Light $99
Repco 95LED Under Bonnet Rechargeable Work Light $105
Mechpro 1600 psi 5.3ltr per min water flow 240 volt Pressure Washer $99
Supervac Stainless Steel Wet/Dry Vacuum Cleaner $99
Repco Eclipse Car Cleaning Gift Pack $14.99
Mothers Polish and battery powered buffing kit $99
Engel Fridge $1299